And all the death and destruction as a result?
Did the Iraqis "prove" themselves to their American masters?
That they would be willing to slaughter their own countrymen for Bush?
Leave it to the New York Times to turn a negative into a positive when it comes to the Bush occupation effort (page one, too)... unless you read it carefully:
"The Iraqis wanted to know if they could fire on the pigeon keepers as American troops have done... As long as the Iraqis determined that the flocks of birds were not a coincidence, the Americans advised, the pigeon keepers were fair game."
Sigh (as author drops head)!
What are Iraqis now -- skeet-shooting practice?
Go give it a look, readers:
"Fight for Sadr City a Proving Ground for Iraq Military"
"by MICHAEL R. GORDON
That explains a lot right there, readers.
BAGHDAD — .... The struggle for control of Sadr City is more than a test of wills with renegade Shiite militias. It has also become a testing ground for the Iraqi military, which has been thrust into the lead.
Iraqi soldiers, suffering from a shortage of experienced noncommissioned officers, have often been firing wildly, expending vast quantities of ammunition to try to silence militias that are equipped with AK-47’s, mortars and rockets. But pulling back from their positions earlier, they now appear to be holding their ground — albeit with considerable American support....
The Iraqi troops, of course, still benefit mightily from American military support. On Thursday morning, Apache helicopters fired Hellfire missiles at teams of militia fighters that were preparing to fire mortars.
Heavily armored American “route clearance” vehicles, their searchlights blazing in the night, swept the roads for hidden bombs. An American reconnaissance drone buzzed overhead and an armed Predator drone blasted a small group of militia men a few days ago.
In an urban battlefield in which there are often no clear lines and militias still roam the narrow side streets, American soldiers are very much at risk and in the fray....
And Iraqi civilians we have butchered, Gordo?
The soldiers were told that they might be needed in Sadr City for a few days. Instead, they have been here for almost two weeks and are now preparing to stay longer....
So what was Bush blathering about pulling troops out?
Oh, the lies of that man!!!!!!!
Now prepare yourself for a real outrage, readers!!!
The militias have their own unique way of signaling the presence of the foes. The Americans say the militias have been using trained pigeons to signal the presence of American and Iraqi troops. The Iraqis wanted to know if they could fire on the pigeon keepers as American troops have done during the bitter fighting here.
As long as the Iraqis determined that the flocks of birds were not a coincidence, the Americans advised, the pigeon keepers were fair game.
Yup, if BIRDS FLY BY, you can OPEN FIRE!!!!!!!!
As if on cue, a group of birds was observed hovering over a rooftop across the street.
That's not even funny, Times!
But the American and Iraqi soldiers had a more immediate concern: stopping the sniper fire down a nearby ally....
Notice how the AmeriKan MSM rarely mentions the U.S.' public or private snipers, readers?
Just making a point! You know where to go to read the rest.
Done with this "article."
